Vt lawmakers approve dramatic expansion of net metering

Crossover deadline at the Statehouse

The Vermont Senate has passed a bill that would nearly quadruple the amount of power utilities could take from customers who have renewable energy projects.

The House had previously passed a similar version of the bill. If it agrees with Senate changes, the measure would go to Gov. Peter Shumlin, a strong supporter, for his signature.

As of now, utilities are allowed to take power from homes and businesses with solar and other renewable generation up to an amount equal in total to 4 percent of the power company's peak load. The bill would raise that cap to 15 percent of peak load.

Some Vermont utilities had already hit the lower cap and had stopped taking new net-metered power. The new cap would let them take more.

A Justice Department civil rights investigation has concluded that the Ferguson Police Department and the city's municipal court engaged in a "pattern and practice" of discrimination against African-Americans, according to a U.S. law enforcement official.